According to MGNREGA workers, the representatives of bank took their thumb impression on five withdrawal forms in advance. They alleged that there are two separate entries on their passbooks: first was Rs 10,000 on November 25 and the second on December 1 of Rs 24,000 which were later withdrawn.

According to the workers, bank representatives took their thumb impression on five withdrawal forms in advance(HT File Photo, for representation)

Labourers in Rajomajra village are a baffled lot as mysterious deposits and withdrawals of thousands of rupees from their bank accounts have taken place. These “over 150” Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) workers only recently got to know about these transactions.

The labourers claimed they got to know when three women along with the officials of a bank, asked them to submit their passbooks and then handed them back to about 15 people some days later.

People had told that they would get Rs 50,000 in their accounts. As a group of labourers received their passbooks, they noticed that thousands of rupees were deposited and withdrawn in their accounts.

According to MGNREGA workers, the representatives of bank took their thumb impression on five withdrawal forms in advance. They alleged that there are two separate entries on their passbooks: first was Rs 10,000 on November 25 and the second on December 1 of Rs 24,000 which were later withdrawn.

“It is clear that bank officials were using the accounts of MGNREGA workers to convert black money into white money. The bank manager and his aides managed to collect about 150 passbooks of laborers but as they returned back ; people noticed that the amount was withdrawn which shocked them” said Kirpal Singh, president, Kisan Mukti Morcha. The group had even protest against the SBI, Dhuri branch and demanded strict action against the bank officials and his aides, on Wednesday. “The bank and police should conduct an inquiry and culprits should be sent behind the bars,” Singh said.

“As we raised the issue, the banks officials came in the village and emphasised on compromise. They also assured to give Rs 5,000 per head but we want justice and sentence to culprits” said Sukhwinder Singh, resident of the village. However, despite several attempts, bank officials could not be contacted.

“We have received the complaint and investigation has started. We will check the bank records and excise department has been informed,” said, Palwinder Singh, station house officer, Sadar police station.